X-ray diagnostic apparatus including a control panel having operating keys for the organwise-programmed setting of exposure data

ABSTRACT

An X-ray diagnostic apparatus having a control panel with operating keys for the organwise programmed setting of exposure data, and an indicator field for the associated body portions or organs connected with, respectively, each operating key. The indicator field is common to all operating keys, in which there are indicatable predetermined body regions through the use of a selector switch installation, the selector switch installation and the contacts of the operating keys being so interconnected with setting means for the exposure data, that the operating keys upon the setting of a predetermined body zone has the exposure data of predetermined body portions or organs of that particular zone connected therewith, and in which the indicator fields of the operating keys have associated, through the intermediary of the selector switch installation, switchable indicator means for the particular body portion, or the particular organ.

' United States Patent Schmitmann et al.

X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS INCLUDING A CONTROL PANEL HAVING OPERATINGKEYS FOR THE ORGANWISE-PROGRAMMED SETTING OF EXPOSURE DATA Inventors:Herbert Schmitmann, Weiher; Horst Aichinger, Furth; Hans-Werner Winkler,Buckenhof; Georg Schaier, Erlangen; Georg Distler, Adlitz; Erich Noske,Erlangen, all of Germany Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Erlangen, GermanyFiled: Sept. 27, 1974 Appl. No.: 510,019

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 5, 1973 Germany 2350141References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1973 Carugati et a]. 250/320Primary Examiner-James W. Lawrence Assistant Examiner-T. N. GrigsbyAttorney, Agent, or F irmWaters, Schwartz & Nissen [57] ABSTRACT AnX-ray diagnostic apparatus having a control panel with operating keysfor the organwise programmed setting of exposure data, and an indicatorfield for the associated body portions or organs connected with,respectively, each operating key. The indicator field is common to alloperating keys, in which there are indicatable predetermined bodyregions through the use of a selector switch installation, the selectorswitch installation and the contacts of the operating keys being sointerconnected with setting means for the exposure data, that theoperating keys upon the setting of a predetermined body zone has theexposure data of predetermined body portions or organs of thatparticular zone connected therewith, and in which the indicator fieldsof the operating keys have associated, through the intermediary of theselector switch installation, switchable indicator means for theparticular body portion, or the particular organ.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures mAs U.S. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 2 of 33,916,192

X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS INCLUDING A CONTROL PANEL HAVING OPERATINGKEYS FOR THE ORGANWISE-PROGRAMIVIED SE'I'IING OF EXPOSURE DATA FIELD OFTHE INVENTION The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnosticapparatus having a control panel with operating keys for the organwiseprogrammed setting of exposure data, and an indicator field for theassociated body portions or organs connected with, respectively, eachoperating key.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART .the panel becomes relatively large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an X-ray diagnostic apparatus of the above-.mentioned type which, with respect to the operation thereof ascontrasted with the state of the art, is much more simple, and which hasrelatively small spatial requirements for the operating keys.

The foregoing object is inventively solved in that an indicator field isprovided which is common to all operating keys, in which there areindicatable predetertained from the following description of anexemplary embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings; in which:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a control panel for an X-ray diagnosticapparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block circuit diagram for an X-ray diagnosticapparatus according to the invention; and

FIG. 3 shows a more precise circuit diagram for the X-ray diagnosticapparatus illustrated in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now in detail to the drawings, thecontrol panel pursuant to FIG. 1 includes seven operating keys 1 through7 for the organwise programmed setting of the exposure data. Adjacentthe operating keys 1 through 7 are seven indicator fields 8 through 14representative of the body portions or organs associated with therespective operating keys 1 through 7. The control panel furtherincludes an indicator board 15, within which a human body is illustratedbeneath transparent cover. Of the human body, there are selectivelyilluminable seven zones 16 through 22.

A selector switch 23 serves for the selection of the body region orzone, through which is also controllable indication within the indicatorfields 8 through 14. By means of operating keys 1 through 7, theexamining apparatus which is coordinated with the particular body organis automatically selected, and indicated in the fields 24 through 26.The field 24, in this instance, symbolizes a tilting apparatus, thefield 25 a horizontally disposed examining table, and the field 26 awall scan- I ning apparatus.

mined body regions through the use of a selector switch installation,the selector switch installation and the contacts of the operating keysbeing so interconnected with the setting means for the exposure data,that the operating keys upon the setting of a predetermined body zonehas the exposure data of predetermined body portions or organs of thatparticular zone connected therewith, and in which the indicator fieldsof the operating keys have associated, through the intermediary of theselector switch installation, switchable indicator means for theparticular body portion, or the particular organ.

In the inventive object, the number of the possible exposure programs isobtained from the product of the number of the selectable body zones andthe number of the operating keys. If, for example, the human body isdivided into seven regions or zones, seven function keys will then besuflicient for the setting up of 49 different exposure programs. Thenumber of operating keys thus is, for the same number of exposureprograms, considerably reduced in comparison with the state of thetechnology. The operation becomes readily supervisable and, inparticular, when in the indicator field there is illustrated a humanbody below a transparent cover, of which the individual body zones areilluminatable in conformance with the setting of the selector switchinstallation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further details of the invention maynow be ascer- Through operan'ng keys -1 through 7, there is furthercontrolled the indication in three fields 27 through 29, in which thereare indicated the required intensifying screen for the exposurecassette. The operating keys 1 through 7 additionally effect theautomatic selection and indication of the particular required focuswithin the fields 30 and 31.

The control panel includes five keys 32 which permit an influence overthe program exposure data with regard to the heaviness of the patient. Arotary switch 34 is provided in connection with an instrument 35 whichis utilized for matching with a power supply.

Through the control panel it is also possible to effect the free orindependent setting of the exposure data and, namely, the mAs-product bymeans of a rotary switch 36, and the X-ray tube voltage by use of arotary switch 37. A key 38 serves for the switching over from aprogrammed to free or independent operation. In order to indicate thetype of operation (programmed operation, free or independent operation)there are provided two indicator fields 39 and 40. Finally, an indicatorfield 41 is provided for the particular dominants of an automaticilluminating device, which are automatically selected through theoperating keys 1 through 7.

The control of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus follows in a mannerwherein, through selector switch 23, there are first selected those bodyzones or regions, within which an exposure is to be carried out. Theselected body zone is illuminated in the indicator board 15; Forexample, it is assumed that body zone 18 has been selected. With theselection of the body zone, the operating keys 1 through 7 areautomatically programmed, in effect meaning, that each of the operatingkeys 1 through 7 has associated therewith a particular body portion or aparticular organ of zone 18. In particular instances, namely, when thereis no need for seven different exposure programs for a body zone, theprogramming of one or a part of the operating keys 1 through 7 iseliminated. In the selected example for the selection of the body zone18, the operating key 1 is coordinated with an exposure of the lungs,the operating key 2 with an exposure of the heart, and so forth. Theexposures may be produced by means of a wall scanning apparatus, wherebythe exposure field 26 is illuminated, and the wall scanning apparatusautomatically actuated. For carrying out the desired exposure, forexample, an exposure of the digestive tract, there need be depressedonly the corresponding operating key, for example, operating key 3.Therewith are automatically selected, in a known manner, the X-ray tubevoltage, the X-ray tube current, the focus, the dominants when employingan automatic illuminating device, and further exposure data. Theindicator fields 27 through 29 indicate to the user as to whichintensifying screens must be inserted into the exposure cassette. Theselected dominants are indicated in indicator field 41.

The selection of the radioscopic or X-raying data (kV, mA) is carriedout, for example, at the command arm of a targeting apparatus. TheX-raying voltage is indicated on instrument 35. The initiation of anexposure is effected through a switch 42.

For the free or independent setting of the exposure data, namely themAs-product and the X-ray tube voltage, key 38 is depressed. In thiscase, the selector switch 23 is ineffective, and the setting is carriedout by means of switches 36 and 37.

From FIG. 4 it may be ascertained that in conformance with the divisionof the human body into seven regions or zones, and the use of sevenoperating keys, there may be set a maximum of 49 different data. Thenumber of control components is thereby extremely small, and the controlbecomes readily supervisable and very simple. The indication changes inthe indicator fields 8 through 14 may, for example, be carried out inthat the body portions and organs are illustrated on rotatable rollers,which are so rotatable through intermediary of the selector switch 23,that the body portions and organs corresponding to the particularselector position are reproduced in the indicator fields 8 through 14.It is also possible to utilize projector installations, which areswitchable through the selector switch 23 and which project the bodyportions and organs onto the indicator fields 8 through 14. Furthermore,it is not necessary that the indicator fields 8 through 14 be separatefrom the operating keys 1 through 7. Thus, the fields may be located onthe surfaces of the operating keys 1 through 7 which face towards theuser, when these surfaces are formed of a transparent material. Thedesignation of the respective body portions and organs may be providedfor by writing pursuant to FIG. 1, and also through suitable symbols.

The selection of the body zones may, in lieu of a rotatable selectorswitch, also be carried out through keys, which are associated with thebody zones 16 through 22, for example, located adjacent the body zones.Also a contactless, for example, capacitive switching is possible upontouching the fields of the indicator board 15 coordinated with bodyregions or zones 16 through 22.

In FIG. 2 there are schematically illustrated seven rollers 43 through49, which are positioned beneath indicator fields 8 through 14, andthrough which the selector switch 23 is rotatably supplied with legendscorresponding to the particular body portions or organs. The selectorswitch 23 includes a step switch 50 with seven locking stop positions,which are connected to lamps 51 through 57 for illumination of the bodyzones 16 through 22, and to the contacts of the operating keys 1 through7. In the described position of the selec tor switch 23 (zone 18), thelamp 53 is illuminated.

In FIG. 2 there are illustrated only the contacts associated with theoperating keys 1 and 7. The contacts of function keys 2 through 6 are,in an analogous manner, interconnected with the step switch 50. Eachoperating key includes seven contacts, each of which is coordinated witha particular program. The contacts lead to a program controlinstallation 58, which control lamps 59 through 69, the latter of whichare associated with the indicator fields 24 through 31 and 39 through41. The program control installation effects setting means whichinfluence an X-ray generator 71 in conformance with a particularselected exposure program. The X-ray generator 71 has X-ray tubes 72 and73 connected thereto, which are selectively connectable to the X-raygenerator 71 by means of switches 74 and 75. The actuation of switches74 and 75 is carried out in dependence upon the program controlinstallation 58, or respectively, the selected operating key.

By means of selector switch 23, through step switch 50, there isrespectively selected one of the seven contacts of operating keys 1through 7, and connected to the program control installation 58. In theprogram control installation 58 there are stored all programs forefiecting the exposures. According to the selection of the contacts ofthe operating keys 1 through 7 through step switch 50, and dependentupon the particular depressed operating key, there is effected thesetting of the data through the setting means 70.

If free or independent operation is desired, then the switch 76 isclosed by means of key 38. This results in connection of the switches 36and 37 to the setting means 70, and in the switching off of the programcontrol installation 58.

In FIG. 2 there are only illustrated two X-ray tubes which areselectively connectable to the X-ray generator 71. When using threeexposure apparatus according to FIG. 1, there is employed another X-raytube and a switch which connects the tube with the X-ray generator 71.

In FIG. 3, there is explained in greater detail setting of the exposuredata by means of the operating keys. FIG. 3 shows the contact 77 of theoperating key 1. When this contact is closed, it pulls a relay 78 whichincludes contacts 79 through 88. Through the chaindotted line isrepresented, that these contacts are actuatable through the winding ofrelay 78. In FIG. 3, the X-ray tube 72 is schematically illustrated. Itincludes two filaments 89 and 90, which are connectable through thecontact 87 and a contact 91 to a filament voltage transformer 92. Theanode voltage for the X-ray tube 72 is generated through a high voltagerectifier 93 which is located at the output of a high-voltagetransformer 94. The high-voltage transformer 94 has a step transformer95 connected thereto.

When the operating key 1 is depressed, then the contacts 79 through 88of relay 78 are closed due to excitation of the latter. The contacts 79and 80 connect the X-ray tube 72 to the output of the high-voltagegenerator 71. They thereby correspond to the switch 74 shown in FIG. 2.The contact 81 selects the operating resistance in the filament currentcircuit, by means of 5 which there is determined the filament currentand, consequently, the X-ray tube current. The contact 87 selects thefocus which is related to the filament 89. It is assumed that by meansof operating key 1, the fields 24, 27, 30, 39 and 41 are illuminated. Inaccordance therewith, contacts 82 through 86 switch on lamps 59, 62, 65,67 and 69. The contact 88 selects the high voltage which is associatedwith key 1 and its contact 77.

Upon depression of operating key 1 there is automatically selected theX-ray tube voltage, the X-ray tube current and the focus, as well ascontrol of the therewith associated indicator lamps. In the same manner,through the further contacts of operating key 1, additional relays arecontrolled so as to effect the selection of their parameters pursuant toanother program. Furthermore, in an analogous manner, relay windings areconnected with the contacts of the other operating keys.

If the exposure data are to be freely or independently set, then aspreviously mentioned, the switch 76 is closed, whereby the relay 96 isexcited. This relay opens its contact 97 and switches off relay 78. Itfurther closes its contact 100 and switches in the mAs-relay 98. Throughturn knob 36 the mAs-relay 98 may now be set so that, in a known manner,upon reaching a predetermined mAs-product the switch 99 opens andterminates the exposure. The kV-selector 37, in a known manner, effectsthe step transformer 95 to set the high voltage of the X-ray tube 72.

From FIG. 3 it may be ascertained that the relay 78 with its contacts 79through 88 is a component of the programming installation 58. This alsocontains other relays which are associated with the contacts of theoperating keys 1 through 7.

The switching in of the kV-selector 37 is carried out through a contact101 of the relay 96 upon excitation of the latter. For an opened switch76, these contacts 99 are actuated, in a known manner, through anautomatic illuminating device.

While there has been shown what is considered to be the preferredembodiment of the invention, it will be obvious that modifications maybe made which come within the scope of the disclosure of thespecification.

What is claimed is:

1. In an X-ray diagnostic apparatus including a plurality of operatingkeys for the organwise-programmed setting of X-ray exposure data, and aplurality of indicator fields each respectively associated with one ofsaid operating keys, each said indicator field being representative of aparticular body portion or organ of a patient, the improvementcomprising: an indicator board commonly connected to all of saidoperating keys; a selector switch installation for indicating a bodyzone from a plurality of body zones represented in said indicator board;setting means for said exposure data, said selector switch installationhaving contacts connected with contacts of said operating keys and withsaid exposure data setting means so as to provide the operating keysupon setting of a predetermined body zone the exposure data ofpredetermined body portions or organs of said zone; and switchableindicator means in said selector switch installation connected to theindicator fields of said operating keys for the particular body portionor organ.

2. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising atransparent cover on said indicator board, a human body being imaged onsaid indicator board beneath said transparent cover; and said switchableindicator means including means for illuminating individual zones ofsaid human body in dependence upon the setting of said selector switchinstallation.

3. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said selectorswitch installation comprising a rotary switch.

4. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said selectorswitch installation comprising key switch means associated withrespectively each said body zone.

5. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 4, each said keyswitch means being a capacitive contact switch in the region ofindication of a respectively associated body zone.

6. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said switchableindicator means comprising rollers located behind the respectiveindicator fields of said operating keys, operating legends beingprovided on said rollers, said rotary switch being connected to saidrollers for imparting rotation thereto.

7. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said switchableindicator means comprising projector means located behind said indicatorfields for the associated body portions or organs.

8. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said indicatorfields being located on surfaces of said operating keys facing towardsan operator for said apparatus.

1. In an X-ray diagnostic apparatus including a plurality of operatingkeys for the organwise-programmed setting of X-ray exposure data, and aplurality of indicator fields each respectively associated with one ofsaid operating keys, each said indicator field being representative of aparticular body portion or organ of a patient, the improvementcomprising: an indicator board commonly connected to all of saidoperating keys; a selector switch installation for indicating a bodyzone from a plurality of body zones represented in said indicator board;setting means for said exposure data, said selector switch installationhaving contacts connected with contacts of said operating keys and withsaid exposure data setting means so as to provide the operating keysupon setting of a predetermined body zone the exposure data ofpredetermined body portions or organs of said zone; and switchableindicator means in said selector switch installation connected to theindicator fields of said operating keys for the particular body portionor organ.
 2. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1,comprising a transparent cover on said indicator board, a human bodybeing imaged on said indicator board beneath said transparent cover; andsaid switchable indicator means including means for illuminatingindividual zones of said human body in dependence upon the setting ofsaid selector switch installation.
 3. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, said selector switch installation comprising arotary switch.
 4. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 1,said selector switch installation comprising key switch means associatedwith respectively each said body zone.
 5. An X-ray diagnostic apparatusas claimed in claim 4, each said key switch means being a capacitivecontact switch in the region of indication of a respectively associatedbody zone.
 6. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus as claimed in claim 3, saidswitchable indicator means comprising rollers located behind therespective indicator fields of said operating keys, operating legendsbeing provided on said rollers, said rotary switch being connected tosaid rollers for imparting rotation thereto.
 7. An X-ray diagnosticapparatus as claimed in claim 1, said switchable indicator meanscomprising projector means located behind said indicator fields for theassociated body portions or organs.
 8. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus asclaImed in claim 1, said indicator fields being located on surfaces ofsaid operating keys facing towards an operator for said apparatus.